As a fully paid up member of the asthmatical society of Britain,
Every 6 months or so I have to see an 'Asthma Nurse' at my GPs to have a 10 second chat about my inhaler and confirm that I am still alive.

The surgery is about 10 doors down from where I used to work, so I popped in one lunchtime to arrange an appointment. I was informed that they were only arranging appointments over the phone so that people wouldn't have to come into the surgery in the middle of a flu epidemic.

I informed them that as I was standing at the reception in the middle of the surgery already, maybe it would be easier to do it then and there. Nope, rules are rules. If I wanted to make an appointment I'd have to do it over the phone.

I got my mobile out of my pocket and was quickly told that all such devices should be switched off upon entering the building.

So I went outside and made an appointment over the phone with a receptionist I could see through the window standing about eight feet away from me. Upon completion of the phonecall I was invited back into the building to pick up an appointment card, lest I forget the time, day, or even address of the building.

She at no point in all of this gave any sign that she thought this entire endeavour completely ridiculous.
(FartThroughAWalkieTalkie wished you were dead in ditch on, Sat 25 Feb 2012, 11:45, 2 replies)

It takes
a special sort of person to be a dotor's receptionist. Utter contempt for humanity is mandatory, for some reason.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Sat 25 Feb 2012, 19:58, closed)

Every time I phone up to book my astha clinic appointment, usually after receiving a letter
I'm told that the booking system only looks ahead two weeks and all the appointments are full.

I then get a letter demanding to know why I haven't made an appointment for the asthma clinic.
( M3rx likes the Asian ladies, Mon 27 Feb 2012, 9:03, closed)